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Proverbs 24:26 — Word Study

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WLCשְׂפָתַ֥יִם יִשָּׁ֑ק מֵ֝שִׁ֗יב דְּבָרִ֥ים נְכֹחִֽים׃

BSAAn honestnâkôach [straightforward, morally upright] answerdâbâr givenshûwb is like a kissnâshaq [to touch, show affection] on the lipssâphâh [the edge of speech, language]

Word
Listen & take awayProverbs 24
English ↓ Download MP3 The Berean Standard Bible chapter audio already hosted for the site's Bible section — verse 26 is in this chapter.
Hebrew ↓ Download MP3 The Masoretic text of this chapter, read aloud. Read by Abraham Shmuelof, courtesy of Audio Scriptures International. Chapter divisions by the Academy of Ancient Languages..
Say the word Each Hebrew word carries its transliteration (ne.kho.Chim) — no per-word recordings of the Hebrew exist to link to.
Take it away
Proverbs 24:26quick helps
In a sentenceAn honest answer is compared to a kiss, highlighting the value of truthfulness.
Who is speakingThe author of Proverbs, conveying wisdom about communication.
Where we areThis verse is part of a collection of wise sayings on various aspects of life.
The hard wordנְכֹחִֽים
Take awayTruthful responses are both valuable and affectionate.
8 commentators on this verse Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them › clause verbנָשַׁק The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
How rare are these words?in the Old Testament

Every word here is used elsewhere in the Old Testament.

Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.

Deep Study — Proverbs 24:26

Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.

Context — Wisdom on Communicationgenerated

25but it will go well with those who convict the guilty, and rich blessing will come upon them.
26An honest answer given is like a kiss on the lips.
27Complete your outdoor work and prepare your field; after that, you may build your house.
28Do not testify against your neighbor without cause, and do not deceive with your lips.

Proverbs 24:26 emphasizes the importance of honest communication, likening a truthful answer to a kiss on the lips. This metaphor suggests that honesty is not only essential but also nurturing in relationships. The surrounding verses reinforce the theme of integrity and the consequences of one's words, guiding readers towards wise interactions.


Cross References

ReferenceText (BSB)
1Proverbs 15:23A man takes joy in a fitting reply— and how good is a timely word!
2Proverbs 16:1The plans of the heart belong to man, but the reply of the tongue is from the LORD.
3Proverbs 25:11–12A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
4Genesis 41:38–57So Pharaoh asked them, “Can we find anyone like this man, in whom the Spirit of God abides?”
5Daniel 2:46–48At this, King Nebuchadnezzar fell on his face, paid homage to Daniel, and ordered that an offering of incense be presented to him.

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 7 references, hung on the phrase they belong to

giveth a right answerJob 6:25

The Key Word נְכֹחִֽים, ne.kho.Chimgenerated

The Hebrew word נָכֹחַ (*nakoach*) means 'straight' or 'right,' indicating straightforwardness and moral integrity. It is used to describe a person who is honest and fair, particularly in their speech and actions.

In this verse, it underscores the value of providing truthful answers, which enriches relationships and fosters trust. The parsing as an adjective emphasizes its quality, suggesting that such responses are not just correct but also ethically sound.


How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated

This study reads the verse in the Berean Standard Bible, so the BSB is the wording every comparison below is made against. The BSB has right, which aligns with the KJV, ASV, and others.

Where others part company with the BSB is over נְכֹחִֽיםstraightforward (LSV, YLT) emphasizes clarity and directness, while right (ASV, KJV) leans on moral correctness.


Sentence Structuregenerated

The finite verb יִשָּׁ֑ק, he kisses, governs the sentence, with two noun phrases: the subject שְׂפָתַ֥יִם (lips) and the object דְּבָרִ֥ים (words). The structure shows a clear relationship between the act of kissing and the nature of the response.

The word order places emphasis on the action of kissing, suggesting that the quality of the answer is as affectionate as the kiss itself.


Septuagint Backgroundgenerated

The Septuagint translates שְׂפָתַ֥יִם as ξείλη, which refers to 'lips' and aligns closely with the Hebrew meaning. This choice maintains the metaphor of affection associated with honest communication.

The Greek word for 'right' is ἀγαθούς, which carries a moral implication, similar to the Hebrew, emphasizing the ethical quality of the words.


In plain words — the whole versegenerated

Proverbs 24:26 compares an honest answer to a kiss on the lips, showing how valuable truthful communication is in relationships. The verse highlights the importance of integrity in our words, suggesting that honesty fosters trust and affection.


Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated

What does it mean for an answer to be honest?

An honest answer is one that is straightforward and morally upright, reflecting truthfulness in communication.

Why is a kiss used as a metaphor here?

A kiss symbolizes affection and warmth, suggesting that honesty in communication nurtures relationships.

How can I ensure my answers are honest?

Being truthful involves being clear and fair in your responses, considering the impact of your words on others.

What are the consequences of dishonest answers?

Dishonest answers can damage trust and relationships, leading to misunderstandings and conflict.


Reflection Questionsgenerated

  1. How can I practice honesty in my daily conversations?
  2. What are some situations where I might be tempted to give a dishonest answer?
  3. In what ways can truthfulness enhance my relationships with others?
  4. How does this verse challenge my understanding of communication?

The early church on this verse — how the Fathers read it

Bede comments on this verse, noting that the kiss symbolizes peace and love, linking the act of answering correctly to the affection shown in a kiss.

BedeCommentary on Proverbs c. 673–735
He will kiss the lips, etc. The kiss is a sign of peace and love. Therefore, he who answers correctly will kiss the lips, because whoever follows the words of justice alone, neglecting the acceptance of persons,
Early Church Fathers on Proverbs 24 →

Commentators on this verse — 8 expositors, verse by verse

Each of these wrote on Proverbs 24:26 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.

John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

[Every man] shall kiss [his] lips that giveth a right answer.

Read John Gill on Proverbs 24 →
Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's Commentary

Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer. (Every man) shall kiss his lips (the sign of love, 2 Samuel 15:5) that giveth a right answer - (Proverbs 25:11; Proverbs 15:23; contrast

Read Robert Jamieson on Proverbs 24 →
Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Every man shall kiss his lips, shall highly respect and love him, of which kissing was a sign, that giveth a right answer; who being called to speak, either as a judge, or witness, or otherwise, in weighty matters, speaks pertinently, and plainly, and truly, to the conviction and satisfaction of the hearers.

Read Matthew Poole on Proverbs 24 →
John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Proverbs 24:26 [Every man] shall kiss [his] lips that giveth a right answer.Ver. 26. Every man shall kiss his lips.] That is, Shall do him honour, as Genesis 41:40. All the people shall kiss at thy mouth, saith Pharaoh to Joseph; and Samuel kissed Saul when he anointed him king; and, "Kiss the Son," saith David. That is, Give unto him the honour due unto his name.

Read John Trapp on Proverbs 24 →
Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(26) Every man shall kiss his lips . . . Rather, He kisseth the lips that giveth right answers. His words are as pleasant as if he had kissed the inquirer’s lips.

Read Charles John Ellicott on Proverbs 24 →
AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible

Verse 26. Kiss his lips] Shall treat him with affection and respect.

Read AdamClarke on Proverbs 24 →
CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

26. Every man shall kiss his lips] Rather, he kisseth the lips, or with the lips: i.e. a right answer is as grateful and conciliating as a friendly salutation.

Read Cambridge on Proverbs 24 →
Albert Barnes1798–1870Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Better, He shall kiss lips that giveth a right answer, i. e., he shall gain the hearts of men as much as by all outward signs of sympathy and favor. Compare 2 Samuel 15:1-6.

Read Albert Barnes on Proverbs 24 →

The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company

Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.

Modern formal

BSBBerean Standard Bible2020

An honest answer given is like a kiss on the lips.

WEBWorld English Bible2000

An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.

MSBMajority Standard Bible2022

An honest answer given is like a kiss on the lips.

NETBNew English Translation2006

Like a kiss on the lips is the one who gives an honest answer.

Tyndale line

KJVKing James Version1611

Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.

ASVAmerican Standard Version1901

He kisseth the lips Who giveth a right answer.

RVARevised Version, American1894

He kisseth the lips that giveth a right answer.

NWBWebster's Bible1833

Every man shall kiss his lips that giveth a right answer.

GNVGeneva Bible1599

They shall kisse the lippes of him that answereth vpright wordes.

Strictly literal

DBYDarby Translation1890

He kisseth the lips who giveth a right answer.

YLTYoung's Literal Translation1862

Lips he kisseth who is returning straightforward words.

LSVLiteral Standard Version2020

He who is returning straightforward words kisses lips.

ILTInterlinear Literal Translation2000

Men will kiss the lips of him that giveth a proper answer.

ULBUnlocked Literal Bible2017

The one who gives an honest answer gives a kiss on the lips.

From the Latin

DRADouay-Rheims (Challoner)1899

He shall kiss the lips, who answereth right words.

Simplified

FBVFree Bible Version2020

An honest answer is a kiss on the lips.

BBEBible in Basic English1949

He gives a kiss with his lips who gives a right answer.

Word by word, the decisions they made

נְכֹחִֽים׃ne.kho.Chim right H5228 2 different renderings
rightASV BBE DBY DRA KJV NWB RVA
straightforwardLSV YLT

Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.


The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank

This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.

clauseobjectשְׂפָתַ֥יִםlipsverbיִשָּׁ֑קhe.kissesnoun phrase · subjectclauseverbמֵ֝שִׁ֗יב[one.who].brings.backnoun phrase · objectדְּבָרִ֥יםwordsנְכֹחִֽיםstraightforward

Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.


The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran

The Masoretic Text of Proverbs 24:26 states, "שְׂפָתַ֥יִם יִשָּׁ֑ק מֵ֝שִׁ֗יב דְּבָרִ֥ים נְכֹחִֽים׃" which translates to "An honest answer is like a kiss on the lips." The Septuagint, while not providing a direct translation, matches all five words in a word-by-word correspondence, indicating that it agrees with the Masoretic Text in terms of the key concepts presented. The Samaritan Pentateuch and the Dead Sea Scrolls do not provide additional variations for this verse, so the consensus among these witnesses supports the same idea of valuing honest communication as something precious and intimate.

Masoretic TextLeningrad Codex, c. AD 1008 — the text this page is built on

שְׂפָתַ֥יִם יִשָּׁ֑ק מֵ֝שִׁ֗יב דְּבָרִ֥ים נְכֹחִֽים׃

Septuagintthe Greek the translators chose, word by word
שְׂפָתַ֥יִםξείληיִשָּׁ֑קφιλήσουσινמֵ֝שִׁ֗יבἀποκρινόμεναדְּבָרִ֥יםλόγουςנְכֹחִֽים׃ἀγαθούς

5 of the 5 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.

Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.


The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with

This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.

Proverbs 24:26שָׂפָהlipslipsשָׂפָהנָשַׁקhe kisseshe kissesנָשַׁקשׁוּב[one who] b[one who] bringשׁוּבדָּבָרwordswordsדָּבָרנָכֹחַrightrightנָכֹחַסָפָהto snatchto snatchסָפָהדָבַרto speak: to speak: speakדָבַרשָׂלַקto kindleto kindleשָׂלַקחָזַקto strengtto strengthen: חָזַקנֹ֫כַחfront, alwfront, always iנֹ֫כַחיְרִיעָהcurtaincurtainיְרִיעָהלָשׁוֹןtonguetongueלָשׁוֹןבָּכָהto weepto weepבָּכָהקֶ֫שֶׁתbowbowקֶ֫שֶׁתשְׁבִיתcaptivitycaptivityשְׁבִיתחָרוֹןburning anburning angerחָרוֹןיֶ֫תֶרremainderremainderיֶ֫תֶרסֵ֫פֶרscroll: doscroll: documenסֵ֫פֶרדָּבָרChroniclesChroniclesדָּבָר
meets it a little oftener than chancemeets it far oftener than chancebuilt from the same roottwo words of the verse share ita word of this versea related word

Lexicons — every word in Proverbs 24:26

One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.

Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.

lips he kisses [one who] bring back words right
שְׂפָתַ֥יִםse.fa.Ta.yim lips H8193 Noun common · feminine dual absolute
176× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This word refers to lips or language, and can also mean the edge or border of something. It is used in the Bible to describe the shore of a sea or the edge of a cup.
Amplified meaning
the edge of speech, language
Tyndale gloss
lips
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שָׂפָה (*saphah*) encompasses meanings related to 'lip,' 'speech,' and 'edge.' It is derived from concepts of termination, suggesting boundaries like the edge of a vessel or the bank of a river. The word can refer to physical lips, language, or the edges of various objects, including shores.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שָׂפָה 176 n.f. lip, speech, edge

lip

language

edge: shore of sea; bank of river

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H8193 שָׂפָה lip, speech, edge . lip

. language

. edge: shore of sea; bank of river

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

8193 saphah saw-faw'

or (in dual and plural) sepheth {sef-eth'}; probably from

5595 or 8192 through the idea of termination (compare 5490);

the lip (as a natural boundary); by implication, language; by

analogy, a margin (of a vessel, water, cloth, etc.):--band,

bank, binding, border, brim, brink, edge, language, lip,

prating, ((sea-))shore, side, speech, talk, (vain) words.

see HEBREW for 05595

see HEBREW for 08192

see HEBREW for 05490

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lips.

: lips/mouth

1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding

1a) lip (as body part)

1b) language

1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)

שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: words.

: words/language

1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding

1a) lip (as body part)

1b) language

1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)

שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: edge.

: edge/border/opening

1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding

1a) lip (as body part)

1b) language

1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)

שָׂפָה (sa.phah) — lip: shore.

: shore/bank(of_sea/river)

1) lip, language, speech, shore, bank, brink, brim, side, edge, border, binding

1a) lip (as body part)

1b) language

1c) edge, shore, bank (of cup, sea, river, etc)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-fd — Noun common · feminine dual absolute
HNcfda
lips he kisses [one who] bring back words right
יִשָּׁ֑קyi.Shak he kisses H5401 Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
35× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
To kiss or touch, also to equip with weapons, as seen in armed men or rulers. It appears in various forms, including a romantic kiss or a mode of attachment. In the Bible, it is used to describe intimate touch.
Amplified meaning
to touch, show affection
Tyndale gloss
to kiss
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

נָשַׁק (nashaq) primarily means 'to kiss,' with various forms indicating gentle touching or equipping with weapons. The exact meaning can be uncertain, possibly extending to handling or being equipped. It appears in contexts related to affection and attachment, as well as in descriptions of armed individuals.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

נָשַׁק vb. kiss

Qal kiss

Pi. kiss

Hiph. of wings of cherubim, gently touching each other

base

[נָשַׁק] vb. exact meaning uncertain; prob. either handle or be equiped with

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5401a נָשַׁק kiss H5401b נָשַׁק exact meaning uncertain; prob. either handle or be equiped with

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5401 nashaq naw-shak'

a primitive root (identical with 5400, through the idea of

fastening up; compare 2388, 2836); to kiss, literally or

figuratively (touch); also (as a mode of attachment), to equip

with weapons:--armed (men), rule, kiss, that touched.

see HEBREW for 05400

see HEBREW for 02388

see HEBREW for 02836

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָשַׁק (na.shaq) — to kiss.

1) to put together, kiss

1a) (Qal) to kiss

1b) (Piel) to kiss

1c) (Hiphil) to touch gently

נָשַׁק (na.shaq) — to handle.

1) to handle, be equipped with

1a) (Qal) to be equipped

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Qal-Imperf-3ms — Verb · Qal · imperfect third person masculine singular
HVqi3ms
lips he kisses [one who] bring back words right
מֵ֝שִׁ֗יבme.Shiv [one who] bring back H7725 Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) masculine singular
1,057× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
This Hebrew word means to return or turn back, and can be used literally or figuratively. It is often used to describe someone returning to God or repenting from sin, as seen in the book of Psalms and the prophets.
Tyndale gloss
to return: return
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word שׁוּב (shuwb) means to turn back or return, covering a wide range of contexts including physical, spiritual, and relational. It can denote returning to a previous state, repenting, or even apostatizing. The entries describe various forms and uses, including bringing back, restoring, and refreshing. Notably, it can also imply a change in course of action.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

שׁוּב 1056 vb. turn back, return

Qal 683;—turn back, return:

turn back

return, come or go back

esp. return unto

of dying

of revival from death

fig. of human relations:

return to leader, king

= change so as to appoach (in purpose, desire)

turn, i.e. resort to

return to a physical condition

abs. = change course of action

fig., specif. of spiritual relations:

turn back from God = apostatize

of י׳, turn away

turn back to God (= seek penitently)

abs. repent

turn back from evil

of י׳

of י׳, return (to shew favour)

of inanimate things (sts. personified, or treated as things of life):

denoting repetition, etc.

trans.

Pō‛l.

bring back

fig. restore, refresh

restore, repair

lead away (enticingly)

shew turning = apostatize

Hiph. 353 cause to return, bring back

bring back into bondage

put back

= draw back

= give back, restore

= relinguish

= give in payment, requital

bring one back (from dead)

bring back heart

= refresh

Read the full entry →
Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H7725 שׁוּב turn back, return .—turn back, return: . turn back

. return, come or go back

. esp. return unto

. . of dying

. of revival from death

. fig. of human relations: . return to leader, king

. = change so as to appoach (in purpose, desire)

. turn, i.e. resort to

. return to a physical condition

. abs. = change course of action

. fig., specif. of spiritual relations: . turn back from God = apostatize

. of י׳, turn away

. turn back to God (= seek penitently)

. abs. repent

. turn back from evil

. of י׳

. of י׳, return (to shew favour)

. of inanimate things (sts. personified, or treated as things of life):

. denoting repetition, etc.

. trans.

. . bring back

. . fig. restore, refresh

. restore, repair

. lead away (enticingly)

. shew turning = apostatize

. cause to return, bring back . . bring back into bondage

. put back

. = draw back

. = give back, restore

. = relinguish

. = give in payment, requital

Read the full entry →
Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

7725 shuwb shoob

a primitive root; to turn back (hence, away) transitively or

intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily

with the idea of return to the starting point); generally to

retreat; often adverbial, again:--((break, build, circumcise,

dig, do anything, do evil, feed, lay down, lie down, lodge,

make, rejoice, send, take, weep)) X again, (cause to) answer

(+ again), X in any case (wise), X at all, averse, bring

(again, back, home again), call (to mind), carry again (back),

cease, X certainly, come again (back), X consider, +

continually, convert, deliver (again), + deny, draw back,

fetch home again, X fro, get (oneself) (back) again, X give

(again), go again (back, home), (go) out, hinder, let, (see)

more, X needs, be past, X pay, pervert, pull in again, put

(again, up again), recall, recompense, recover, refresh,

relieve, render (again), requite, rescue, restore, retrieve,

Read the full entry →
Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

שׁוּב (shuv) — to return: return.

: return

1) to return, turn back

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to turn back, return

1a1a) to turn back

1a1b) to return, come or go back

1a1c) to return unto, go back, come back

1a1d) of dying

1a1e) of human relations (fig)

1a1f) of spiritual relations (fig)

1a1f1) to turn back (from God), apostatise

1a1f2) to turn away (of God)

1a1f3) to turn back (to God), repent

1a1f4) turn back (from evil)

1a1g) of inanimate things

1a1h) in repetition

1b) (Polel)

1b1) to bring back

1b2) to restore, refresh, repair (fig)

1b3) to lead away (enticingly)

1b4) to show turning, apostatise

1c) (Pual) restored (participle)

1d) (Hiphil) to cause to return, bring back

1d1) to bring back, allow to return, put back, draw back, give back, restore, relinquish, give in payment

1d2) to bring back, refresh, restore

1d3) to bring back, report to, answer

1d4) to bring back, make requital, pay (as recompense)

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
V-Hiphil — Verb · Hiphil · participle (active) masculine singular
HVhrmsa
The company it keepswords that stand beside it more often than chance
lips he kisses [one who] bring back words right
דְּבָרִ֥יםde.va.Rim words H1697 Noun common · masculine plural absolute
1,442× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
A word or thing, like a matter or affair, as seen in the book of Chronicles where it refers to the events and words of kings. It can also mean a cause or reason for something.
Tyndale gloss
Chronicles
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

דָּבָר (dabar) means 'word' or 'speech' and encompasses a range of meanings including discourse, saying, and matter. It can refer to anything spoken or a topic of discussion, extending to concepts like business or affairs. The entries consistently highlight its use in various contexts, but do not indicate any significant disagreement among lexicographers.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

דָּבָר 1439 n.m. speech, word

sg. speech, discourse, saying, word, as the sum of that which is spoken

sg. saying, utterance, sentence, as a section of a discourse

sg. a word, words

sg. matter, affair, thing about which one speaks

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H1697 דָּבָר speech, word . sg. speech, discourse, saying, word, as the sum of that which is spoken

. sg. saying, utterance, sentence, as a section of a discourse

. sg. a word, words

. sg. matter, affair, thing about which one speaks

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

1697 dabar daw-baw'

from 1696; a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or

thing; adverbially, a cause:--act, advice, affair, answer, X

any such (thing), because of, book, business, care, case,

cause, certain rate, + chronicles, commandment, X

commune(-ication), + concern(-ing), + confer, counsel, +

dearth, decree, deed, X disease, due, duty, effect, +

eloquent, errand, (evil favoured-)ness, + glory, + harm, hurt,

+ iniquity, + judgment, language, + lying, manner, matter,

message, (no) thing, oracle, X ought, X parts, + pertaining, +

please, portion, + power, promise, provision, purpose,

question, rate, reason, report, request, X (as hast) said,

sake, saying, sentence, + sign, + so, some (uncleanness),

somewhat to say, + song, speech, X spoken, talk, task, + that,

X there done, thing (concerning), thought, + thus, tidings,

what(-soever), + wherewith, which, word, work.

see HEBREW for 01696

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

דָּבָר (da.var) — word.

: word/speech/command

1) speech, word, speaking, thing

1a) speech

1b) saying, utterance

1c) word, words

1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)

דָּבָר (da.var) — word: speaking.

: speaking

1) speech, word, speaking, thing

1a) speech

1b) saying, utterance

1c) word, words

1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)

דָּבָר (da.var) — word: thing.

: thing/matter

1) speech, word, speaking, thing

1a) speech

1b) saying, utterance

1c) word, words

1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)

דָּבָר (da.var) — word: promised.

: promised/duty

1) speech, word, speaking, thing

1a) speech

1b) saying, utterance

1c) word, words

1d) business, occupation, acts, matter, case, something, manner (by extension)

דָּבָר (da.var) — word: deed.

: deed

Read the full entry →
Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absolute
HNcmpa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
Nave's Topical Bible

→ Of Jesus

Gracious Lu 4:22

Are spirit and life Joh 6:63

Of eternal life Joh 6:68

Will judge Joh 12:47,48

→ Of the wise

As goads, and as well-fastened nails Ec 12:11

Gracious Ec 10:12

→ Spoken at the proper moment Pr 15:23; Isa 50:4

→ Aptly spoken, like apples of gold in filigree of silver Pr 25:11

→ Of the complete man, gentle Jas 3:2

lips he kisses [one who] bring back words right
נְכֹחִֽים׃ne.kho.Chim right H5228 Adj
4× in the OT scale is logarithmic — the commonest word, אֵת, appears about 11,000×
In plain English
Meaning
Describes something or someone as straightforward or morally upright, like a just ruler. It appears in Proverbs to describe a person of integrity. Means being honest and fair in all interactions.
Amplified meaning
straightforward, morally upright
Tyndale gloss
straightforward
Hebrew lexiconskeyed to Strong's numbers
Layman’s summary of all Lexicon entries.generated

The Hebrew word נָכֹחַ (*nakoach*) means 'straight' or 'right,' and can refer to concepts of straightforwardness and integrity. It is derived from a related term and covers both literal and figurative meanings, including uprightness and correctness. The entries collectively emphasize its use in describing moral or ethical qualities.

Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew Lexicon (full)

[נָכֹחַ] adj. and subst. straight, right, straightness

base

Brown-Driver-Briggs glosses

H5228 נָכֹחַ straight, right, straightness

Strong's Hebrew Dictionary

5228 nakoach naw-ko'-akh

from the same as 5226; straightforward, i.e. (figuratively),

equitable, correct, or (abstractly), integrity:--plain,

right, uprightness.

see HEBREW for 05226

Translators Brief Hebrew Lexicon

נָכֹחַ (na.kho.ach) — straightforward.

straight, right, straightness, be in front of

Morphologythe parsing behind the code
Berean parsing
Adj — Adj
HAampa
Bible dictionarieson the English sense
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia

rit (yashar, mishpaT; dikaios, euthus): Many Hebrew words are translated "right," with different shades of meaning. Of these the two noted are the most important: yashar, with the sense of being straight, direct, as "right in the sight" of Yahweh (Ex 15:26; De 12:25, etc.), in one's own eyes (Jud 17:6), "right words" (Job 6:25 the King James Version, yosher), "right paths" (Pr 4:11 the King James Version); and mishpaT "judgment" "cause" etc., a forensic term, as "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" (Ge 18:25). In

Sources on this page. Lexicons and dictionaries imported from the CrossWire SWORD modules — Abbott-Smith, Strong's, Dodson, the Intermediate Liddell-Scott-Jones, Robinson and Packard, Webster and Cawdrey. Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament (Harper, 1889 — Grimm’s Wilke’s Clavis Novi Testamenti, translated, revised and enlarged by Joseph Henry Thayer) is public domain and is set here from the Internet Archive page scan greekenglishlex00grim; it is uncorrected OCR, marked as such on the entry itself, and the Strong’s numbers — which Thayer’s own edition does not carry — were matched by lemma against the other modules on this page. Trench’s Synonyms of the New Testament (Macmillan, 1880) and Moulton and Milligan’s Vocabulary of the Greek Testament (Hodder & Stoughton, 1930, which entered the United States public domain on 1 January 2026) are set from Internet Archive page scans synonymsofnewtes00treniala and vocabularyofgree00mouluoft, and are likewise uncorrected OCR matched to Strong’s numbers by lemma. Trench treats a group of words at once, so the same essay stands on the page of each word it compares. The Mounce Concise Greek-English Dictionary is © 1993 and is used here by permission for non-commercial use, www.teknia.com/greek-dictionary. The full Liddell-Scott-Jones and the Hebrew word data (TAHOT) come from STEPBible.org, CC BY 4.0. Brown-Driver-Briggs is the OpenScriptures digitisation, public domain. Syntax analysis is the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (biblicalhumanities.org); the concordance and morphology are built from the tagged Nestle 1904 text. Septuagint occurrences use the Open Scriptures Septuagint lemma index, derived from CCAT (University of Pennsylvania) and the Rahlfs 1935 dataset by Eliran Wong, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 — used here on a non-commercial ministry site. Greek of Josephus and Barnabas from the Perseus Digital Library, CC BY-SA 4.0. Commentaries and the Ante-Nicene Fathers are public-domain texts hosted on this site. Everyday Greek from the Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri, CC BY 3.0, with dates and provenance from the Heidelberger Gesamtverzeichnis. Philo and the Apostolic Fathers from Open Greek and Latin (First1KGreek), CC BY-SA 4.0. The apparatus and the fifth Greek column are the SBL Greek New Testament, © 2010 SBL and Logos Bible Software, CC BY 4.0. The Latin is the Clementine Vulgate (public domain); the Syriac New Testament is the ETCBC edition (MIT licence). The Hebrew behind the Greek is computed here from the Septuagint index and TAHOT, not taken from any aligned edition. The translation spread and the per-word edition marks come from the Translators Amalgamated Greek NT (STEPBible, CC BY 4.0); clause roles from the Nestle 1904 Lowfat treebank (CC BY-SA 4.0); place identifications and their confidence from OpenBible.info Bible Geocoding (CC BY 4.0), with map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors. Gospel parallels are computed here from shared uncommon vocabulary, not taken from any printed harmony. Cross references are the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the subject headings are Nave’s Topical Bible, both public domain. Works under Creative Commons licences are used unchanged apart from markup removal.

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